Appeal for More Money
Get more out of your awards package
If you’ve received your financial aid package from your school of choice, but the dollars aren’t adding up like you had hoped, you may appeal for more aid. If you feel that there are extenuating circumstances that may afford you more aid, then you can make your case to the financial aid office.
Meet a financial aid officer
Try to arrange a meeting in person if you can as soon as possible. If they are unable to accommodate a face-to-face meeting, try to arrange a phone meeting. If all else fails, you may write a letter to the financial aid office pleading your case.
Be prepared
In the event that you are granted a meeting of some kind, be prepared with evidence to point out why you need more aid. If there are financial hardships or other circumstances that were not properly conveyed on your application, now is the time to express them. Financial aid officers will hear your case so long as you’ve got evidence to back your claims.
Matching offers
Schools are sometimes willing to match the aid from other schools. Express to the financial aid officer that you are very much interested in going to their school, but you can’t afford it with the aid they’ve offered. Then show them the aid packages that other schools have offered and see if they would be willing to match their offers.
Schools want to have quality students attending their campuses and are willing to hear appeals for greater aid. So long as your appeal is valid and you have evidence (bank statements, documentation, etc.) you will have a good chance at receiving a higher award.
